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JUNE 2017 • LAFAYETTE TODAY • PAGE 1
JUNE 2017
UNDERDOG ANIMAL RESCUE
By Fran Miller
While volunteering at a local rescue shelter, Mollie Kastner became distraught over the doomed fate of the dogs thought to be unadoptable. The pups with medical and behavioral issues were not ready choices for families seeking a new pet. Thus, in an effort to rescue the rescues, Kastner started her own shelter, Underdog Animal Rescue. “I saw a lot of rescue groups saving the puppies and the cute fluffy little dogs that, to be honest, would have been adopted without the rescue’s help,” says Kastner, age 26 and a former Lafayette resident. “My one goal became to save the dogs that nobody else would save. Behind the scenes, dogs were dying because nobody gave them the time of day. They were sweet, gentle, and simply wanted to be loved. I knew that some of these dogs wouldn’t be saved if I didn’t step up and do something about it.” Underdog was established in 2014, and during the first year, Kastner fostered most of the dogs herself, at her home. Now, she has a staff of four running the or-
HERB DAY: TREAT THE PALATE; TICKLE THE IMAGINATION By Jody Morgan
The Northern California Unit of The Herb Society of America (HSA) holds its tenth annual celebration of Herb Day on Sunday, July 9 from 10am – 4pm at Rodgers Ranch Heritage Center, 315 Cortsen Road, Pleasant Hill. Free activities for all ages are planned with hands-on crafts for children as well as informative presentations and exhibits for adults. Admission and parking are also free. Vendors displaying plants and herbal products for sale are staged throughout the property leaving space for attendees to enjoy the gardens. What is an herb? Originally the term was applied to any plant that died back to the ground in winter. Eventually the term designated
See Rescue continued on page 9
MEET GERTRUDE By Alisa Corstorphine
Created for the 12th Annual Earth Day festival in cooperation with Sustainable Lafayette, artist Lara Dutto, Lamorinda elementary and junior high students, and the local high school students in the Global Student Embassy (GSE) group, a masterpiece named Gertrude/ Out of the Rising Waters sculpture came to life and now resides at the Lafayette Community Garden. The collaborative piece was created to highlight the importance of our precious water resources. Gertrude comes to life at the recent Earth Day festival. Elementary and junior high See Gertrude cont. on page 22
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ECRWSS
Karen Mahshi and Denise Koroslev with some of the herb beds at Rodgers Ranch NCUHSA maintains. Photo by Jody Morgan.
any plant thought to be useful to mankind. Holly Shimzu defines an herb as “plants (trees, shrubs, vines, perennials, biennials, or annuals) valued historically, presently, or potentially for their flavor, fragrance, medicinal qualities, insecticidal qualities, economic or industrial use, or in the case of dyes, for the coloring material they provide (HSA’s Essential Guide to The Beginner’s Herb Garden). Herb Day gives the thirty or so active members of the Northern California Unit (NCUHSA) the chance to share their individual expertise in all aspects of the use and culture of herbs in a fun-filled event open to everyone in the community. Culinary use of herbs Volume XI - Number 6 is always a popular topic, but at Herb 3000F Danville Blvd #117 Day attendees can also discover ways to Alamo, CA 94507 use herbs in everything from household Telephone (925) 405-6397 cleaners to potpourris and natural dyes. Fax (925) 406-0547 Young folks always enjoy making leaf editor@yourmonthlypaper.com rubbings and floral head wreaths. Herbal Alisa Corstorphine ~ Publisher teas and herbal flavored water are avail- The opinions expressed herein belong to the writers, and do not necessarily reflect that of Laable for tasting.
See Herb cont. on pg. 12
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